BASEBALL DAILY REPORT : DODGERS : Howell Pitches Simulated Game Today

One of the most important pitching assignments of the final week of the regular season is tentatively scheduled for early this afternoon, when Jay Howell will face hitters for the first time since Sept. 3.

Howell, recovering from a strained ligament in his right elbow, threw good curveballs at regulation distance for 15 minutes Tuesday and pronounced himself fit enough for a simulated game.

If the outing is successful, Howell hopes to appear in one of the weekend games at San Francisco to test the elbow before the Dodgers make final decisions on their 25-man playoff roster.

“It would have to be tested in a game where we were way ahead, something like that,” Howell said. “But just to be in the position I am in is great.”

Mickey Hatcher had a tearful reunion with his former teammates and fans Tuesday when he was honored before the game.

Hatcher, who is working as a coach for the Dodgers Instructional League teams in Arizona, said he hopes to become a minor league coach or manager with the Dodgers next season.

Kal Daniels asked to be in the starting lineup Tuesday, but he appeared to be so sick, the Dodgers kept him on the bench. Daniels has been fighting flu since last week in San Diego. . . . Orel Hershiser said he felt fine, one day after throwing 88 pitches. . . . A playoff game between the Dodgers and Atlanta Braves would start at 7:35 p.m. Monday. Fred Claire, Dodger vice president, said the game was scheduled at night, instead of the usual afternoon time for such games, to give Dodger fans enough time to purchase tickets and the Braves enough time to travel from Atlanta, where they will be playing Sunday afternoon.